http://louisrumball.wordpress.com/

http://louisrumball.wordpress.com/

As for Mike’s comments about not selling the photography itself, I think that is already the case.  We all want to think we are selling our photography but honestly I think 80% of what seals a contract is YOU and your personality.  I think having solid images in your port is what brings a client to you but more than anything else it’s your personality and relationship with the client that ultimately separates you from the competition and makes the sale.  

How many times have you seen poor photography or a boring concept and thought “How in the world did this guy get the job?”  It’s not the photography, it’s the relationship the photographer had with the client.  Many people will choose not to believe this and it will be their loss but those who embrace this idea will have a very successful business.  

This idea is a big reason why I often join in the dancing at my weddings, share an alcoholic drink with the bride and groom, and even hand my DSLR cameras to the bride or her bridesmaids….I’m selling my personality first and foremost knowing the photographs are going to be great.  Some people might say it’s completely unprofessional (and it is always a judgement calls, sometimes I don’t) but I think it helps break the “hired help” label and brings me closer to being a friend.  Friends ultimately book more than being a hired hand :)

Yes, traditional print media is declining however, it is not a dead market.  As much as people would like to think that everyone in the world is “online” and they can deliver their message electronically for “free”, this is the old guard trying to force old sales and marketing techniques into a digital world, that they really don’t understand and they are fearful of.

As of March 31, 2011, the Internet Usage and World Population Statistics web site is reported that only 30% of the world wide population is online.  The United States, only 13% of it’s the population is online.  Print media still has it’s place in this world of ours.  I’m not denying that one day it will be at a minimum.  But don’t start carving the tombstone just yet.  We have got a long way to go.

“Digital shooters need to become content producers. In other words, they must learn to self-finance their own content and then make money off of the completed work”…”The main point to understand is that photographers have to figure out a way to make money off of something other than the photography itself”.

First off, you argument is a complet and utter contradiction.  You need to produce content…images…i.e. photographs. Then, figure out a way to make money “…off of something other than the photography itself”.  What??? I’m confused because I know you are.

Let forget for a moment that businesses spend millions of dollars on market research for their next ad campaign, which by the way is a closely guarded secret.  Locked down by a litany non-disclosure agreements and lawyers.  That somehow, in the context of this conversation, a photographer is to psychically figure out what his/her “potential” client base is planing for their next ad campaign.  Absorb all the cost to produce images that exactly fit those highly researched and planned out campaigns.  Then stand in line with a dozen or so other “psychic” photo professionals, just hoping to make something back on your “investment”.  Because we all know when supply go up, prices follow.

“Photography is no longer a single clearly defined part of a sequence and is now an undefined part in a non-linear mosaic.”

Photographs sells products. Period.  If you have any doubts.  Research “Wheaties”.

“From the 1960s through the 1990s, Wheaties provided in-box promotions, but maintained a focus on athletic fitness and on-the-box sports figure promotions. Since the debut of the front cover depiction of Bob Richards, hundreds of athletes have been shown and promoted, including entire baseball, basketball, and football teams, while also highlighting Olympic successes (including regional Special Olympics editions). Wheaties also does not limit itself to current athletic stars, as special edition boxes have depicted baseball players from the early 20th century, and many athletes who were too early for Wheaties to cover (see Jim Thorpe).” – Wikipedia

“…maintained a focus on athletic fitness and on-the-box sports figure promotions.” and “…special edition boxes have depicted baseball players from the early 20th century…”  If, as you said, “Photography is no longer a single clearly defined part of a sequence…” then please explain why General Mills has chosen to display a image(photograph) of major sport athletes on their product for the last 51 years.

You Business model of the future is the “MBA’s Utopian business model”.  Have somebody else do all the work. Have them pay for it, so I can reep all the profits.  Or I’ll kick it old school for you.  “Why buy the cow, when I can get the milk for free”.

The only person who is holding on to a film/mechanical economy, is you.  You’re making the same old assumptive mistake that digital is somehow free because the “process of film” has been removed.  Ignoring that the rest of the brick and mortar world is still in existence.